News

Avoids charge for weekend incident

Elliott was detained but eventually released without charge Sunday morning at a music festival in Las Vegas, NFL.com reports.

Analysis: For a player that has served a six-game suspension due to violations of the personal conduct policy, Elliott likely will be scrutinized by the NFL for this incident with a security guard. That said, it appears to be minor in nature, as evidenced by team president Stephen Jones telling Todd Archer of ESPN.com that the incident won't affect negotiations with the running back on a long-term deal. One of a handful of Cowboys approaching the end of their rookie contracts, Elliott has racked up 5,247…read more

Published: Mon, May 20 at 5:26pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Under contract through 2020

The Cowboys exercised Elliott's fifth-year option Tuesday, keeping him under contract through 2020, Rob Phillips of the team's official site reports.

Analysis: The decision to pick up the $9.1 million option was an easy one for the Cowboys, as the 23-year-old has established himself as one of the NFL's few three-down bellcows since entering the league in 2016. The option may end up serving merely as a placeholder while Elliott and the Cowboys turn their attention to working out a long-term extension that will keep the Ohio State product in Dallas for the duration of his prime.

Published: Wed, Apr 24 at 6:47am by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Decision looming for 2020 option

Team executive Stephen Jones said Wednesday that the Cowboys expect to pick up the fifth-year option on Elliott's contract before the May 3 deadline, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Since he was selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2016 draft, Elliott is the only player in the league with more than 1,000 touches (1,003, to be exact), through which he's produced 5,247 yards from scrimmage and 34 touchdowns in 40 games. Those numbers make the Cowboys' upcoming decision a no-brainer, especially with DeMarcus Lawrence's long-term extension out of the way. Aside from Lawrence and Elliott, the team also may seek to lock Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper into long-term deals.

Published: Wed, Apr 17 at 3:22pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Showing up for voluntary workouts

Elliott is present Monday for the beginning of the Cowboys' voluntary offseason program, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: Elliott hopes to sign a contract extension this offseason but won't apply pressure in the form of a holdout. He's technically entering the final season of his rookie contract, but it's a given that Dallas exercises the fifth-year option to keep him locked in through 2020. With defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (shoulder) signed for five years, the Cowboys now need to work out long-term agreements for Elliott, Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper.

Published: Mon, Apr 15 at 8:10am by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Wants extension this offseason

Elliott hopes to sign a contract extension before the 2019 season, Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Analysis: The Cowboys will have an easy decision to pick up the fifth-year option (for 2020) on Elliott's rookie contract, potentially giving them another season before the situation truly comes to a head. Of course, the 23-year-old running back presumably hopes to sign his long-term deal as soon as possible, knowing the risk that comes with the massive workloads he handles. The Rams were in the same situation with Todd Gurley last year, eventually settling on a four-year, $60 million extension that…read more

Published: Tue, Jan 29 at 8:50am by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Bottled up in loss

Elliott rushed 20 times for 47 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 30-22 loss to the Rams. He added two catches (five targets) for 19 yards.

Analysis: Elliott couldn't get anything going against the Rams' stout front, as he was routinely being met with first contact behind the line of scrimmage. The star back was able to salvage his fantasy day with a touchdown from in close, but DFS owners were certainly hoping for a bigger output considering Elliott's price tag. Despite the poor finish, the 23-year-old proved yet again that he is one of the premier running backs in the game with 1,434 rushing yards and six touchdowns to go along with 77…read more

Published: Sat, Jan 12 at 9:18pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Compiles 169 scrimmage yards

Elliott carried 26 times for 137 yards and a touchdown during Saturday's 24-22 win over the Seahawks. He also caught four passes for 32 additional yards.

Analysis: Elliott eclipsed 30 touches for the third time this season, averaging 5.3 yards per carry while providing utility as a receiver as well. He scored on a one-yard touchdown plunge in the fourth quarter and could have had another on the next drive, but Dak Prescott took the ball in instead. Perhaps his best contribution came on the team's final scoring drive, when he got outside, picked up a first down and stayed in bounds to keep the clock running. The team's next opponent will depend on Sunday's…read more

Published: Sat, Jan 5 at 8:48pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Not on injury report

Elliott isn't listed on the Tuesday injury report for Saturday's playoff game against the Seahawks.

Analysis: Elliott was rested for a Week 17 win over the Giants, and while he's surely taken his fair share of bumps and bruises during a busy season, his availability for the playoffs was never in doubt. He's already feeling the benefit of sitting out the regular-season finale, saying Tuesday that he feels fresh and is ahead of his normal weekly schedule, per Todd Archer of ESPN.com. Elliott had 16 carries for 127 yards and three catches for 11 yards in a 24-13 road loss to the Seahawks in Week 3.

Published: Tue, Jan 1 at 2:50pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Injury had role in Week 17 absence

Head coach Jason Garrett admitted Monday that injuries played a role in Elliott being made inactive for Sunday's game against the Giants, Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News reports. "He's been banged up a little bit with different parts of his body. We just felt like it was the right thing for him to not be a part of it yesterday. I do think he'll be fresher going forward," Garrett elaborated.

Analysis: Elliott missed his first game of the season Sunday at a time when the Cowboys had little to play for since the team was already locked into the NFC's No. 4 seed. However, it seems likely the league's leading rusher could have suited up had Dallas had something to gain, especially considering how management allowed quarterback Dak Prescott and receiver Amari Cooper to take the field. With a week-plus of rest in tow, Elliott should be back in the fold for the Cowboys' playoff opener Saturday…read more

Published: Mon, Dec 31 at 11:39am by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Sidelined Sunday, as expected

Elliott (coach's decision) is listed as inactive Sunday at the Giants, David Helman of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Analysis: The decision follows a report from NFL Network's Jane Slater, who relayed earlier Sunday that the Cowboys were slated to rest Elliott in Week 17. Elliott thus will end the 2018 campaign with 304 carries for 1,434 yards, 77 receptions (on 95 targets) for 567 yards and nine total touchdowns in 15 games. Among his replacements, Rod Smith may take on the larger share of snaps out of the backfield because Darius Jackson has yet to earn a carry or target as a pro.

Published: Sun, Dec 30 at 8:44am by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Not expected to play Week 17

Elliott is expected to be rested for Sunday's game against the Giants, team sources tell Jane Slater of NFL Network.

Analysis: Team owner Jerry Jones suggested earlier in the week that the Cowboys were unlikely to rest key starters in the regular-season finale, but that never seemed like a probable outcome with Dallas locked in as the NFC's No. 4 seed in the postseason. Elliott himself has also lobbied to play in Week 17, but it sounds like the Cowboys have ultimately decided to err on the side of caution and will hold their star running back out to avoid an injury heading into the playoffs. Ideally, Elliott's…read more

Published: Sun, Dec 30 at 6:22am by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Intends to play

Elliott said he'll play in Sunday's game against the Giants, Kate Hairopoulos of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Analysis: While he doesn't have final say on the matter, Elliott did at least provide a glimpse into his team's possible logic for using key players in the regular-season finale. As Hairopoulos notes, the Cowboys aren't in the same place they were in 2016 when Elliott was rested for a meaningless Week 17 contest. That iteration of the team had already clinched the No. 1 seed with a 13-2 record, while the 2018 Cowboys are locked in as the No. 6 seed at 9-6. Of course, it will still be a major surprise if…read more

Published: Wed, Dec 26 at 1:15pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Expected to play Week 17

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Monday that the Cowboys will go "all out" in their Week 17 matchup with the Giants, suggesting Elliott will play in the contest, Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Analysis: After defeating the Buccaneers in Week 16, the Cowboys clinched the NFC East title and are locked in as the conference's No. 4 seed in the postseason. With nothing on the line for Dallas in the regular-season finale, there's little to gain by using key players extensively and potentially exposing them to injury ahead of the playoffs. That said, if Elliott ends up seeing something resembling a normal workload Week 17, it would make him one of the better high-end fantasy plays at running back,…read more

Published: Mon, Dec 24 at 8:33am by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Solid but unspectacular in win

Elliott rushed 18 times for 85 yards and brought in five of six targets for 24 yards in the Cowboys' 27-20 win over the Buccaneers on Sunday. He fumbled once but it was recovered by the offense.

Analysis: It was a rock-solid yet somehow underwhelming effort for Elliott, who's spoiled fantasy owners all season with some eye-popping numbers. His overall touches were down Sunday for the second straight week, which has resulted in back-to-back sub-100-yard tallies on the ground for only the third time this season. On the plus side of the equation, Elliott's work as a receiver continues as strong as ever, as he's now notched at least five receptions in seven straight games. With the Cowboys having…read more

Published: Sun, Dec 23 at 1:32pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Totals 128 scrimmage yards

Elliott carried 18 times for 87 yards and caught seven passes for an additional 41 yards during Sunday's 23-0 loss to the Colts.

Analysis: Elliott broke off some big gains as he averaged a respectable 4.8 yards per carry against an underrated Indianapolis front. He had a couple carries near the goal line, but he was stood up as the Cowboys failed to take advantage of numerous red-Zone opportunities. On a positive note, he was once again heavily involved as a receiver and now has 25 receptions over his last three games. He'll look to put on another workhorse performance in Week 16 at home against the Buccaneers.

Published: Sun, Dec 16 at 1:31pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Elevates to full practice

Elliott (shoulder) practiced in full Thursday, Rob Phillips of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Analysis: This week, Elliott dealt with the aftereffects of a lowering the helmet penalty call that forced him to the sideline for a spell Week 14 against the Eagles, kicking it off with a limited showing at Wednesday's practice. After elevating to a full participant Thursday, Elliott is ready to follow up a 40-touch, 192-yard-from-scrimmage performance, though Sunday's matchup at Indianapolis brings with it the eighth-ranked run defense (102.9 yards per game).

Published: Thu, Dec 13 at 1:19pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Back practicing Thursday

Analysis: Elliott appeared on the Cowboys' initial Week 15 injury report with a sore shoulder, but his absence from Wednesday's practice was characterized as more of a maintenance day than anything. The running back's presence at practice a day later supports that notion, though it won't be known until after the session concludes whether Elliott was a limited or full participant. Either way, Elliott is in no danger of missing Sunday's game against the Colts and should again be on tap for a sizable…read more

Published: Thu, Dec 13 at 8:49am by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Dealing with shoulder injury

Elliott was held out of practice Wednesday due to a shoulder injury, Calvin Watkins of The Athletic reports. "Just a maintenance day," Elliott told Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News. "Just got a little sore shoulder. It's late in the season. I've had a lot of touches. Just trying to make sure I'm fresh for [Sunday's game against the Colts]."

Analysis: After Elliott ripped up the Eagles for 192 yards from scrimmage in the Cowboys' Week 14 win, coach Jason Garrett relayed the running back was feeling fine as a result of a neck injury he suffered in the fourth quarter. Elliott was seen in sweats at the beginning of Wednesday's practice, though, creating questions about his health. He put them to rest with his comments afterward. Elliott has two more sessions this week to prove that the shoulder issue won't impact his upcoming availability.

Published: Wed, Dec 12 at 1:09pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Sits out practice Wednesday

Analysis: Hairopoulos notes that Elliott was on the field Wednesday but was in sweats, while his teammates practiced with their helmets on. Per Todd Archer of ESPN.com, the running back suffered a stinger in Sunday's overtime win over the Eagles, but returned to the game and finished with 28 carries for 113 yards and 12 catches for 79 yards. The Cowboys will provide their first Week 15 practice report later Wednesday, which will indicate if Elliott was a non-participant due to injury or merely for rest.…read more

Published: Wed, Dec 12 at 10:02am by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Feeling OK following neck injury

Coach Jason Garrett said Elliott doesn't seem to have any lingering issues from the neck injury he suffered during Sunday's 29-23 overtime win against the Eagles, David Helman of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Analysis: On the Cowboys' first possession of the fourth quarter, Elliott incurred a 15-yard penalty for lowering his head to initiate contact. Because he took some time to stand up, the training staff examined him intently but never gave him an official designation as he reentered the game six snaps later, per Todd Archer of ESPN.com. Elliott didn't seem worse for wear thereafter en route to 192 yards from scrimmage on 40 touches, surpassing his previous career high in the latter category by six. Due to…read more

Published: Mon, Dec 10 at 3:38pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Receives 40 touches

Analysis: Elliott was unable to extend his touchdown streak to five games, but he still produced a strong fantasy line, especially for those in PPR formats. The 22-year-old has been used as a pass catcher more often this year than in either of his previous two seasons. Zeke isn't as dynamic of a receiver as some of the other pass-catching backs that have 50-plus receptions (e.g. Alvin Kamara, Christian McCaffrey, Tarik Cohen), as most of his catches come on more traditional swing and screen passes out of…read more

Published: Sun, Dec 9 at 7:52pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Productive all-around stat line

Elliott rushed 23 times for 76 yards and brought in all six of his targets for 60 yards and a touchdown in the Cowboys' 13-10 win over the Saints on Thursday.

Analysis: Elliott was mostly held in check by a stingy Saints run defense, but he was able to move the chains as needed and also played a significant role in the air attack. The third-year back's reception total checked in second on the Cowboys to Amari Cooper, and he now has at least five catches in four consecutive contests. Elliott's 16-yard receiving touchdown in the first quarter served as his third of 2018, giving him a score in four straight games. The 23-year-old will look to continue his strong…read more

Published: Thu, Nov 29 at 9:11pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Not listed on injury report

Elliott (hip) isn't listed on the injury report the Cowboys released following Monday's practice.

Analysis: Per Kate Hairopoulos of The Dallas Morning News Elliott was rested Sunday due to some hip soreness, but the running back practiced without limitations Monday. That sets the stage for him to fill his usual high-volume role out of the backfield in the Cowboys' Thursday night matchup with the Saints in Week 13.

Published: Mon, Nov 26 at 3:00pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Dealing with sore hip

Elliott was held out of practice Sunday to rest a sore hip but was back on the field Monday with his teammates, Kate Hairopoulos of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Analysis: Elliott apparently got a bit banged up in the 31-23 win over Washington on Thanksgiving Day, though the hip issue didn't prevent him from piling up 143 yards and a score on 31 touches. He may be listed as a limited participant when the Cowboys release their initial practice report for Week 13 in advance of Thursday's difficult matchup with the Saints. Dallas also has some injury concerns on the offensive line, which could be problematic against a New Orleans defense ranked first in rushing…read more

Published: Mon, Nov 26 at 9:07am by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Scores for third straight game

Elliott carried 26 times for 121 yards and a touchdown Thursday against the Redskins. He also caught five passes for an additional 22 yards in the 31-23 win.

Analysis: Elliott set season highs in carries and touches, finishing with a respectable 4.7 yards per carry against a solid Washington front. He also made an impact as a pass catcher, ranking second on the team in receptions while tying for second in targets. Elliott has been outstanding over the last three games, topping 140 scrimmage yards while finding the end zone in each contest. He'll look to keep up his outstanding form next Thursday against the Saints and their solid run defense.

Published: Thu, Nov 22 at 7:21pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Totals 201 scrimmage yards

Elliott carried 23 times for 122 yards and a touchdown Sunday against the Falcons. He also logged seven catches for 79 yards in the 22-19 win.

Analysis: Elliott gashed Atlanta repeatedly, as he finished averaging 5.3 yards per carry and scored on a 23-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. He also led the team in targets, catches and receiving yardage, going over 200 scrimmage yards for the second time this season in the process. Elliott has been handed a huge workload in the last two weeks and has enjoyed tremendous success, helping the team back to .500 with a pair of improbable road wins. Expect the star tailback to play a central role in…read more

Published: Sun, Nov 18 at 1:19pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Runs wild in Philly

Elliott ran the ball 19 times for 151 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-20 win over the Eagles. He added 36 yards and another score on six receptions.

Analysis: Elliott tied his season high of 7.9 yards per carry, which is even more impressive considering he was bottled up for just four yards on his first three carries Sunday. The star back had been slumping to the tune of 94 total rushing yards over his last two games, so his fantasy owners certainly welcomed this offensive explosion. This was also the first multi-touchdown performance of the year for Elliott, a feat he accomplished three times by this point in 2017. While his production is down…read more

Published: Sun, Nov 11 at 10:55pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Accounts for 112 yards against Titans

Elliot rushed 17 times for 61 yards and caught four of five targets for 51 yards in Monday night's 28-14 defeat to the Titans.

Analysis: Elliot once again couldn't get much going on the ground behind an offensive line that also allowed its quarterback to be sacked five times. In fact, Elliot has now averaged under 4.0 yards per carry in three of the Cowboys' last four games. Fortunately, he was able to post his second-best receiving mark of the season, thanks in part to a 37-yard gain in the first quarter. While his 112 total yards still made it a decent showing by his standards, Elliott's lack of blocking has been concerning of…read more

Published: Mon, Nov 5 at 9:02pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com